Bloomington is a vibrant community filled with activity. Each month there are numerous opportunities to enjoy and engage, socially and civically. The City will provide monthly updates on what is happening in and with the City and you will discover that no matter your interests or inclinations, there is something for everyone.
October Events
Well Check
Day & Time: Saturday, October 1, 8-11 a.m.
Cost: Free and open to all
Location: Bloomington Community Farmers' Market, 401 N. Morton St.
Free, convenient well checks in the areas of blood pressure, lipid panels, and hemoglobin (blood sugar-A1C) by IU Health Bloomington Community Health. No appointment is needed, but you do need to fast for 12 hours to get an accurate cholesterol level. For more information call 812-353-3244.
Bug Fest
Day & Time: Saturday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to all
Location: Hilltop Gardens at Indiana University, 2367 E. 10th St.
Check out cool insects, make a craft, and participate in bug-themed activities. Bug Fest is a collaboration of Bloomington Parks & Recreation, Monroe County Parks & Recreation, The WonderLab Museum, Purdue Extension-Monroe County, and Hilltop Gardens at Indiana University. For more information or to pre-register, visit https://bton.in/CQF2G.
Movies in the Parks: "Ghostbusters"
Day & Time: Saturday, October 1, 8 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to all
Location: Switchyard Park
Bloomington Parks and Recreation and The Ryder Film Series present a free movie at Switchyard Park. This movie has a rating of PG. For weather-related cancellations, call the Community Events Hotline at 812-349-3754.
Bloomington Parks Foundation 30th Annual Don Brineman Memorial Golf Scramble Benefitting the Olcott Youth Scholarship Fund
Day & Time: Wednesday, October 5, 1 p.m. lunch, 1:30 p.m. shotgun start
Cost: $400 per team of four
Location: Cascades Golf Course, 3550 N. Kinser Pike
The Bloomington Parks Foundation annual golf scramble funds scholarships for youth to participate in positive programs presented by Bloomington Parks and Recreation, including swimming lessons and Kid City summer camps. Register a foursome or sign up as a $150 hole sponsor online at bloomington.in.gov/cascades.
Howl at the Moon
Day & Time: Friday, Oct. 7, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to all
Location: Switchyard Park, 245 W. Patterson Dr. (Grimes Lane parking lot)
All dog owners and animal lovers are invited to a glow-in-the-dark walk in Switchyard Park! The first 50 dogs receive a glow stick for their collars. Learn more at bloomington.in.gov/parks/events
King Bee & The Stingers in Switchyard Park
Day & Time: Friday, Oct. 7, 6 p.m. opener, 7:15 p.m. main act
Cost: Free and open to all
Location: Switchyard Park, 1601 S. Rogers St.
Bring your own seating for the season's final live show featuring the Blues, R & B, and funk of King Bee & The Stingers in Switchyard Park. Learn more at https://bton.in/QBZQU.
I Fell 10th Anniversary Community Celebration
Day & Time: Saturday, October 8, 2:00-8:00 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to all
Location: 4th Street East of Rogers
The 10-year anniversary of I Fell Studios and Galleries will be
a public celebration with live music, multiple artists displaying and selling their
work, spoken word performances, and food trucks. A special effort will be made to
invite underrepresented artists.
Trick or Treat Trail
Day & Time: Saturday, Oct. 8, 1-4 p.m.
Cost: $5/child
Location: RCA Community Park, 1400 W. RCA Park Dr.
The paved trail through the woods comes to life with movie, storybook, and fairy-tale characters! Learn more at bloomington.in.gov/parks/events.
Adoption Event with Loren Wood Builders
Day & Time: Saturday, October 8, 12 p.m.- 2 p.m.
Cost: All dogs over 6 months, $30. For puppies under 6 months, $75
Location: Loren Wood Builders, 900 S Walnut St., Bloomington, IN 47401
Find your perfect pup at a special dog adoption event hosted by Loren Wood Builders. The event will include several shelter dogs, gifts for your newly adopted dog, and blueprints for a stylish dog house designed by Loren Wood Builders’ architects.
Learn more at bloomington.in.gov/animal-shelter.
Try Hockey for Free
Day & Time: Saturday, October 8, 9-10 a.m.
Cost: Free and open to all
Location: Frank Southern Ice Arena, 2100 S. Henderson St.
Boys and girls ages 4 to 9 are invited to try hockey in a fun and safe environment. Skates are provided; bring a bike helmet and a pair of gloves.
Camping Basics with IU Outdoor Adventures
Day & Time: Sunday, Oct. 9, 12-2 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to all.
Location: Dunn Meadow, E. 7th Street & Indiana Avenue
Bloomington Parks and Recreation partners with IU Outdoor Adventures to present an informative program for camping novices on how to enjoy a weekend camping in the woods. Learn more at outdoors.indiana.edu, "More Events."
Adoption Event with Hive Restaurant
Day & Time: Thursday, October 13, 6 p.m.- 8 p.m.
Cost: All dogs over 6 months, $30. For puppies under 6 months, $75
Location: Hive Restaurant, 2608 E 10th St, Bloomington, IN 47408
Join the Bloomington Animal Shelter for an eastside dog adoption event on the patio of Hive. Stop by to meet your next best friend, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy the fall weather.
Learn more at bloomington.in.gov/animal-shelter.
Bloomington Pumpkin Launch
Day & Time: Saturday, Oct. 22, Gates open at 11 a.m., and launching begins at noon
Cost: Spectator admission $10/vehicle
Location: Monroe County Fairgrounds, 5700 W. Airport Rd.
Watch launcher teams send pumpkins flying through the air in competitions for distance and accuracy! Activities include a children's area, live music, and food trucks. Learn more at bloomington.in.gov/parks/events.
Adoption Event with Karst Farm Dog Park
Day & Time: Sunday, October 23, 4 p.m.- 6 p.m
Cost: All dogs over 6 months, $30. For puppies under 6 months, $75
Location: Karst Farm Dog Park, 2450 S Endwright Rd, Bloomington, IN
Meet your next family member at the Karst Farm Dog Park. Take advantage of reduced adoption fees and a free one-year membership to Karst Farm Dog Park.
bloomington.in.gov/animal-shelter
Festival of Ghost Stories
Day & Time: Friday, Oct. 28, 7-8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to all
Location: Bryan Park, 1001 S. Henderson St.
An ink-black night with leering jack-o'-lanterns and crisp cider set the stage for an evening of live storytelling beneath the stars. Bring your own seating. Learn more at bloomington.in.gov/parks/events.
Skate & Scare
Day & Time: Saturday, October 29, 7-9 p.m.
Cost: $6 admission + $3 skate rental
Location: Frank Southern Ice Arena, 2100 S. Henderson St.
Skate to the sound of spooky tunes and make your way through the haunted house! Learn more at bloomington.in.gov/ice.
Bloomington’s Breast Cancer Awareness Walk
Day & Time: Saturday, October 29, 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Cost: The Walk is FREE, but donations are gladly accepted!
Location: The walk begins and ends at Showers Plaza
The 25th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk is a roughly 1 mile leisurely walk. The purpose of the Walk is to promote awareness, educate, and show support for those who have been touched by breast cancer. Young, old, and well-behaved pets are welcome. Learn more at: siraonline.com/walk.htm
Dogtober Festival at Scouts Honor
Day & Time: Sunday, October 30, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Cost: All dogs over 6 months, $30. For puppies under 6 months, $75
Location: Scouts Honor, 611 W 4th St, Bloomington, IN 47404
Shelter dogs will be in attendance for a spooky adoption event hosted by Scouts Honor. Enjoy food, games, dog costume contests, and more. Learn more at bloomington.in.gov/animal-shelter or scoutshonorpetretreat.com.
October Programs
Adopt-a-Dog Month, Peace, Love & Dogs
Day & Time: October 1-31 during shelter hours
Cost: All dogs over 6 months, $30. For puppies under 6 months, $75
Location: City of Bloomington Animal Shelter, 3410 S Walnut St, Bloomington, IN 47401
October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, which means it’s the perfect opportunity to help homeless animals in shelters all across America find loving, happy homes. Join the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter in celebrating this special month with reduced adoption fees and dog adoption events. Adoption fees include age-appropriate vaccinations, microchip, spay, and neutering prior to adoption, heartworm test, and free first office visit to most veterinarians in Monroe County. For more information: bloomington.in.gov/animal-shelter
Collecting & Sowing Native Wildflower Seeds
Day & Time: Thursday, October 6, 5:30-7 p.m. at Switchyard Park
Tuesday, October 11, 2-3:30 p.m. at Miller-Showers Park
Cost: $10/Bloomington residents, $12/out-of-city residents
Join Parks and Recreation staff to collect native wildflower seeds for winter sowing in containers. Register online at https://bton.in/kqRd9.
House Hockey
Day & Time: October 17, 2022 through February 10, 2023
Cost: Varies by league
Location: Frank Southern Ice Arena, 2100 S. Henderson St.
An instructional league for beginning through advanced hockey players ages 5 to 12 years. Find practice days and times and register online at https://bton.in/YO!Bq.
Bloomington Community Farmers' Market
Day & Time: Saturdays (October 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29) 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Cost: The market is free and open to all; vendor prices vary
Location: Showers Common (401 N. Morton St.)
Find fresh, nutritious food and support local farmers and small businesses at the Bloomington Community Farmers' Market every Saturday. Farmers' Market vendors accept SNAP benefits, and SNAP recipients can double the value of their SNAP benefits with Double Market Bucks. Find more information and a list of participating vendors at bloomington.in.gov/farmers-market
Bloomington Walking Club
Day & Time: Mondays, October 3, 10, 17, and 24, 6 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to all.
Location: Varies
The Bloomington Walking Club is an informal group that walks from one to three miles on paved paths and natural trails in and around city parks. See the list of locations and guest walkers online at https://bton.in/ImJK3.
Switchyard Park Fitness Classes: ZUMBA
Day & Time: Tuesday, October 4 at 7 p.m.
Cost: $5 per person
Location: Main Performance Stage at Switchyard Park
No pre-registration is required! Show up for a fun outdoor ZUMBA class at Switchyard Park. More information at https://bton.in/Ovvg0.
A Fair of the Arts
Day & Time: Saturday, October 8, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to all.
Location: Showers Common at City Hall (401 N. Morton St.)
Held in conjunction with the Bloomington Community Farmers' Market
Shop for art and fine crafts handmade by local and regional artists. See the list of participating artists at https://bton.in/OH-P1.
HAND Home Buyers Club Registration - opens on October 12th
Day & Time: Saturday, November 12 , 9 a.m.-4 p.m. & Saturday, November 19, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to prospective home buyers. Registration is required.
Location: Council Chambers at City Hall (401 N. Morton St. room 115)
The Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) Department's Home Buyers program offers participants a chance to explore the possibility of affordable home ownership. The Home Buyers Club is comprised of two sessions, which are held on two consecutive Saturdays. The goal of the class is to help first-time home buyers understand and overcome the obstacles involved in purchasing their first home, and what to expect after buying a home. Participants will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a housing counselor to discuss any potential obstacles to achieving their goals. Income-eligible graduates may qualify for up to $10,000 in Down Payment Closing Cost Assistance from HAND. Register at https://bton.in/lTDXk.
Meet the Funders
Day & Time: Wednesday, October 19, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Location: Monroe County Public Library, Rooms 1B and 1C
In this fun annual event, a panel of giving and receiving experts (foundations and development directors) discusses grants, funding, and inside information to ensure nonprofit organizations are more successful to get funded. In the speed-networking sessions that follow, local organization representatives talk about what they fund and what they look for when selecting nonprofits to fund. Come prepared to ask questions of the panel experts and the grant-makers representatives. A great opportunity to network with other nonprofits as well. Light breakfast items will be served. You may register at mcpl.info/npc/nonprofit-central, email npc@mcpl.info, or call 812-355-7515.
October Shoutouts
2022 Leaf Management Options and Preparing for 2023
MULCH AND COMPOST YOUR LEAVES
Recycling your leaves by mowing, mulching and/or composting is the greenest way to manage your leaves. Not sure how to mulch or compost? No problem - we can help! Questions? Contact the Street Team at street@bloomington.in.gov or 812-349-3448. Access the resources listed below online at https://bton.in/wr!Xl.
- Access Our Online content: Featuring short videos and links to helpful articles from experts.
- Watch Video Testimonials from Others Who Made the Switch: Hear stories of other people who made the switch to mulching and composting?
- Attend an in-person, 1-hour Hands-on Demonstration: Access the schedule to find the demonstration nearest to you.
- Join the Facebook Community Dedicated to Mulching and Composting: Ask a question, answer a question, and give & receive leaves.
YARD WASTE COLLECTION
- Get 10 Free Yard Waste Bags: Starting on October 3rd, you can pick up 10 free yard waste bags from any of the hands-on, in-person demonstrations or from any Bloomington City fire station. You can use these bags, any other biodegradable bag, or your yard waste cart to store your leaves for composting, give them to a neighbor who wants them for their yard or garden, or set them out for collection on your yard waste day.
CURBSIDE VACUUM PICKUP
2022 curbside vacuum pickup begins on November 14. For the collection of your leaves by the vacuum trucks in 2022.
- Position the leaves you want to be collected to the property edge as close to the curb as possible.
- Include ONLY leaves (no sticks or yard waste) in the pile to be vacuumed - anything other than leaves can clog and damage the equipment.
- Do not place your leaves in the roadway or on the sidewalk - they blow around, become slip hazards when wet, and can clog storm drains and cause flooding.
- Do not block drains or pile around fire hydrants.
- A few days before the vacuum trucks will be in your neighborhood, you will see yard signs near the entrance or exit of your neighborhood and you can access the interactive leaf pick-up map at https://bton.in/mT0Jm.
October Operating Hours
Griffy Lake Boathouse Hours of Operation
Saturdays and Sundays in October, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Griffy Lake Boathouse, 3400 N. Headley Rd.
Canoe, kayak, and paddleboard rental $8/hour
Visit Griffy Lake to hike, fish, picnic, or just relax on the lake. Personal watercraft pay an $8 launch fee. Make watercraft rental reservations by emailing griffy.boathouse@bloomington.in.gov.
Twin Lakes Recreation Center Hours of Operation
Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-10 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Twin Lakes Recreation Center, 1700 W. Bloomfield Rd.
Daily non-member admission is $8
Twin Lakes Recreation Center is a sports, fitness, and recreation facility with a ⅛-mile indoor track, cardio equipment, free weights and weight machines, a functional fitness area, and five hardwood courts. Courts are open for pickleball Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Learn more about TLRC memberships and group exercise classes at twinlakesrecreation.com
Frank Southern Ice Arena Hours of Operation
The ice arena opens for the 2022-23 season on October 14
Frank Southern Ice Arena, 2100 S. Henderson St.
General admission public ice skating daily at scheduled times:
Monday-Friday, 12-2:30 p.m.
Friday, 7-9 p.m.
Saturday, 1:30-3 p.m., 7-9 p.m., 9:15-11 p.m.
Sunday, 3-5 p.m.
General admission is $6 per person plus $3 for skate rental.
See the holiday skating schedule and calendar of hockey games and ice skating lessons online at bloomington.in.gov/ice.
Original source can be found here.
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